BATON
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2013
ROUGE,
LOUISIANA
VOL. 38 • NO. 19 • FREE
A PEOPLE’S PUBLICATION
Colin Powell Pitches SinglePayer Health Care in US
Chancellor James L. Llorens on the Death of Mr. Nelson Mandela
Former Secretary of State Colin Powell marveled at the success of single-payer health care in places such as Canada, South Korea and across Europe.
Southern University Chancellor Dr. James L. Llorens stated the world has lost the embodiment of courage and the commitment to the belief that freedom is worth giving one’s life.”
WASHINGTON—Former Secretary of State Colin Powell has waded into the health care debate with a broad endorsement of the kind of universal health plan found in Europe, Canada and South Korea. “I am not an expert in health care, or Obamacare, or the Affordable Care Act, or however you choose to describe it, but I do know this: I have benefited from that kind of universal health care in my 55 years of public life,” Powell said, according to the Puget Sound Business Journal, last week at an annual “survivors celebration breakfast” in Seattle for those who, like Powell, have battled prostate cancer. “And I don’t see why we can’t do what Europe is doing, what Canada is doing, what Korea is doing, what all these other places are doing.” Europe, Canada and Korea all have a “single-payer” system, in which the government pays for the costs of health care. Some Democrats who strongly advocated for, and failed to get, a single-payer system in the 2010 Affordable Care Act, still believe the current law doesn’t go far enough to reform the US health system. A retired four-star general and former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Powell told the audience about a woman named Anne, who as his firewood supplier, faced a healthcare scare of her own. Anne asked Powell to help pay for her healthcare bills, as her insurance didn’t cover an MRI she needed as a prerequisite to being treated for a growth in her brain. In addition, Powell’s wife Alma recently suffered from three aneurysms and an artery blockage. “After these two events, of Alma and Anne, I’ve been thinking, why is it like this?” said Powell. “We are a wealthy enough country with the capacity to make sure that every one of our fellow citizens has access to quality health care,” Powell. “(Let’s show) the rest of the world what our democratic system is all about and how we take care of all of our citizens.” Powell, who has taken heat from Republicans for twice endorsing President Obama’s election and reelection bids, said he hopes universal healthcare can one day become a reality in the U.S. “I think universal health care is one of the things we should really be focused on, and I hope that will happen.”
Southern University mourns the passing of former South Africa President Nelson Mandela, one of the most historic figures in a peoples’ fight to be free. “There are no words to capture the life and bravery of Nelson Mandela,” said Southern University Chancellor Dr. James L. Llorens. “The world has lost the embodiment of courage and the commitment to the belief that freedom is worth giving one’s life.” “Southern University was also fortunate have then-President Leon Tarver to have established a relationship with Mr. Mandela that led to him accepting our re-
quest to name our School of Public Policy in his honor and to have Mr. Mandela come to Southern for the dedication ceremony.” (Nelson Mandela came to Southern University and A&M College in Baton Rouge, La., on May 11-12, 2000, to be part of the dedication of the Nelson Mandela School of Public Policy. He also was the graduation speaker on May 12.) For additional information, please contact either Edward Pratt or Erin Fulbright with the Southern University Media Relations Office at (225) 771-4545 or (225) 771-3907 respectively.
Letter from The Louisiana Black Publisher’s Association
Nelson Mandela was master on forgiveness. South Africa’s first black president spent nearly a third of his life as a prisoner of apartheid, yet he sought to win over its defeat guardians.
ICON OF FREEDOM The Baton Rouge Weekly Press Salutes the Life and Legacy of Nelson Mandela
By Mydra L. Kelly President Nelson Mandela quoted the following poem of Marianne Williamson’s as a part of his moving inaugural speech: Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented,
JAGUARS CLAIM SWAC TITLE
fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small Does not serve the world. There’s nothing enlightened about shrinking So that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, As children do. We were born to make manifest The glory of God that is within us. It’s not just in some of us; It’s in everyone.
And as we let our own light shine, We unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we’re liberated from our own fear, Our presence automatically liberate others. How befitting…for this is exactly what the life of Nelson Mandela did; his presence, his existence, his sacrifices liberated others. His 27 years of captivity See MANDELA, on page 2
The Louisiana Black Publishers Association would like to acknowledge our most sincere condolences to the family of our dear brother Nelson Mandela and all of our brothers and sisters in South Africa. As Africa, America and people around the nation and the world mourn the loss and remember the life and the legacy of this great man; we would be far remised to not join in this triumphant celebration. Nelson Mandela was the epitome of strength, courage, character, and all that speaks to one man standing in the linkages of life for others. As the African
BUSINESS
See LETTER, on page 7
Louisiana Unemployment Insurance Claims Report Dec. 6, 2013 BATON ROUGE – Initial unemployment insurance claims for the week ending Nov. 30, 2013, decreased to 1,850 from the previous week’s total of 2,854. The over-the-week decrease in initial claims was due to the shorter work-week for the Thanksgiving and Acadiana holidays. Initial claims were below the comparable week ending Dec. 1, 2012, figure of 4,048. The four-week moving average of initial claims decreased to
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LOCAL
Proverb states, “I am because you are and you are because I am… so much of who we all are and forever will be is because of the sacrifices and contributions that this mighty man made.” While we are saddened that the mortal man has left us; we know that as this life is planted, it is simply a seed that will continue to grow for generations and generations to come. We are both grateful and blessed that God lent us this special creation for ninetyfive years to walk the earth and impact so many. We are truly
HEALTH
2,444 from the previous week’s average of 2,558. Continued unemployment insurance weeks claimed for the week ending Nov. 30, 2013, decreased to 22,425 from the previous week’s total of 22,839. Continued weeks claimed were below the comparable week ending Dec. 1, 2012, figure of 30,723. The four-week moving average of continued weeks claimed See CLAIMS, on page 3
RELIGION Baton Rouge, LA - Carolyn Gee will host her annual Toy and New Clothing Giveaway at Greater Mt. Canaan Baptist Church located at 5820 Evangeline Street and Rev. Levie “Ash” Wright is the pastor. .See Page 6
INDEX
GAS FOR GUNS” EXCHANGE In an effort to reduce the number It is what Southern quarterback Dray Joseph said he did throughout his career on The Bluff. It is also what the Jaguars did late against Jackson State in the Toyota Southwestern Athletic Conference Championship Game Saturday.... See Page 8
of unsecured firearms on Baton Rouge streets, Baton Rouge Police Chief Carl Dabadie and Circle K are joining forces for a “Gas for Guns” exchange program on Saturday, Dec. 14 ...See Page 2
MILEAGE RATES FOR BUSINESS
The Internal Revenue Service today issued the 2014 optional standard mileage rates used to calculate the deductible costs of operating an automobile for business, charitable, medical or moving purposes...See Page 5
QUIT-SMOKING FOR YOUR HEART Smoking is the leading cause of
preventable death world-wide. About half of all long-term smokers will die because of their addiction. But the good news is that nearly 70% of current smokers want to quit, says the CDC....See Page 7
Local & State............................2 Commentary.............................4 Business....................................5 Religion....................................6 Health.......................................7 Sports.......................................8
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